I have a couple of stories to share this morning and I truly, truly hope that you will take a couple of moments to read them because they are important to you. You may even know some of the people involved.
In a recent blog post regarding my project to write a book chronicling my cancer journey I said, “I believe that if you’re given a song, you should sing it. If you’re given a story, you should tell it. And, if you’re given a voice, you should use it. I’ll leave the singing to my talented husband, but I do have a story to tell and a voice with which to tell it.”
I realized in the last few days that mine is not the only story that needs to be told. So, while I will continue working on that, in the hope that it will one day be helpful…
Cliff Newell from the Lake Oswego Review was our special guest at our last meeting of the Italian Book Club at Nicoletta’s Table in Lake Oswego. Here is his article that does a wonderful job of describing the spirit of our group.
“For ladies who love Italy and can’t enough of it, the Nicoletta’s Table Book Club is just the place to go.
“Your guests can eat oatmeal at home. Lauretta Jean’s serves a proper breakfast meal: oven-fresh biscuits, each containing euphoric amounts of butter, served every way imaginable-French toast to vegetarian Benedict, or just cradling fresh pork sausage, an egg and maple butter. Slices of breakfast pie (pictured) are drawn from a serious collection including fresh pumpkin and a hazel-nut crowned honey pie, also available to go.”
For serious breakfast eaters, this is the place to go! Of course, a slice of pie is a good thing anytime!
Nicoletta’s Table is a wonderful, friendly restaurant where it seems that “everyone knows your name”. I love the seafood, the salads, the coffee, and the wine selection. My favorite lunch lately has been a butternut squash salad with grilled chicken and a glass of Bastianich Adriatico Pinot Gris.
I especially love the friendly staff including a warm Gallic greeting from Patrick (pictured above). A well-known figure in the Lake Oswego food scene, Patrick has a large following and brings a special “je ne sais quoi” to the restaurant. Of course, the owner Shari Newman with her love of Italy and warm personality has created a special neighborhood place that makes everyone feel welcome at the table- in this case, Nicoletta’s Table. The recent expansion is a testament to how popular Nicoletta’s Table has become! Call for reservations. If the restaurant is full, you can always treat yourself to something from the deli or marketplace.
The French Quarter in Lake Oswego! A newcomer to Lake Oswego and making a big splash is NOLA Doughnuts with their light, killer beignets and chicory coffee. Add the jazz, cheerful, friendly staff and NOLA embodies the spirit of New Orleans. You just want to stay all day! I was captivated by the ambiance as I enjoyed two beignets with oodles of powdered sugar and a cafe au lait. The funny thing is that I planned to eat one beignet and take the others home. Silly me! In addition to their beignets, there are gourmet doughnuts, fritters and bites—all of which are light and so tasty!
My week would not be complete without a stop at St. Honore’s Bakery on Millennium Plaza for delicious cereal bread, cafe au lait and the occasional croissant. Sam and her team work hard to deliver incredibly delicious savory and sweet baked goods as well as salads, soups and sandwiches. When traveling, I order a Jambon Parisien to take on the plane. I am the envy of the other passengers when I unwrap this crusty baguette with Black Forest ham, Emmental cheese, lettuce and a cornichon. When home, after a long day, I head to St. Honore to relax and recharge. If the weather is nice, I join the others sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and a view of the lake. People watching is also fun. Sunday mornings are especially fun for a visit to St. Honore as the bicycle riders, families with kids and tourists converge for a bit of French heaven!
I had been living in Lake Oswego a few weeks when a worker at my house told me that I had to go to Chuck’s Place. I was so glad to learn that there was a local coffee shop within walking distance. Later that day I strolled a few blocks down to Chuck’s Place. That was when I met Lisa Ryan one of the owners. Lisa welcomed me warmly to Lake Oswego with a big smile. She insisted on treating me to coffee and a huge, delicious chocolate chip cookie. I still remember how special she made me feel. Later, meeting her husband Chuck, I realized and appreciated what wonderful caring people they are and what a wonderful spot they have created for coffee and community in Lake Oswego. Everyone knows Chuck’s Place! It is a friendly hangout for biking clubs, young mothers with children in tow, business people gathering for meetings and writers balancing solitude with stimulation to keep the Muse awake. I have had many business meetings there as well as coffee with friends. Everyone loves Chuck’s Place. The atmosphere, great coffee and delicious cookies make this a special place to linger.
After a leisurely lunch at Tucci’s in Lake Oswego, I noticed this plaque on the counter. I just had to take a picture. It says so many important things especially now in light of the Paris attacks. Continue reading “This is your Life…”→
I love the simple and yet complex message in this little plaque. It inspires me to think about my many blessings even in the midst of sadness. I am not the only person who has lost loved ones. I am not the only one who is lonely. I am not the only one whistling in the dark at times. I am just one person who can try to brighten my day by helping others. When I was in graduate school learning about different therapeutic approaches, I recall our professor stating that there will always be people hurting. It is so true in so many ways from children to seniors. So, there is always something I can do or say to be of help in a quiet, non-obtrusive way if that is the right thing for that person. Sometimes just sitting with a person is all that can be done. I recall sitting with a young father whose toddler was dying. There was nothing I could say but I could stay with him and that is what I did.
So even in the midst of a world where things go horribly wrong and no safe harbor appears on the horizon, I must remain thankful and optimistic. Thankful for my brains and fortitude. Thankful for those around me who care about others and living a decent life. Thankful that I can rise everyday and live in freedom and relative safety in an imperfect world.
“Grown-ups love figures… When you tell them you’ve made a new friend they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? ” Instead they demand “How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? ” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Perhaps you can surmise from the quote above that I am loathe to cross-examine or be cross-examined when I make a new acquaintance. I don’t want people to draw conclusions such as “She does yoga so she must love green tea.” Or, “She lives in Portland so she must be a tree-hugger who never shaves her armpits!” I much prefer getting to know a person by spending time with them. This allows me to experience them rather than pigeonhole them based on extraneous factors. I will share with you that reading and learning are very important to me. I also love to travel but not as a tourist getting off and on the bus sleepwalking through ten cities in ten days. I prefer to visit fewer places and savor the sights and locale. I love good food and workout regularly so I can eat more delicious food. I also love good books and good movies that engross me regardless of the topic. I love solitude but not being alone all the time. Even though I relish my private space, I do “play well with others”.
There was a really cute coat that I fell in love with while visiting Whistler, B.C. in September. It was a raincoat by Helly Hansen with simple lines in a soft olive color. Not that I needed another raincoat. By my last count, I own one yellow, two black, and one brown raincoat and two rain jackets. That is more than enough for rainy Portland.
So, why was I even looking at raincoats? Poor planning.
It was pouring rain everyday while I was in Whistler. I had ignored the weather forecasts thinking it can’t rain everyday. I simply was not prepared for all of the walking in the rain that I would do in this charming resort. Because I had packed the wrong coats for my stay, I was either wet and freezing in a down vest over a long tee shirt or roasting in a full-length North Face down coat.
Conveniently, there was a Helly Hansen store on the ground level of the Westin Resort where I was a guest. The American dollar was strong against the Canadian dollar. Plus, there was a sale in progress- one of the perks of vacationing at the end of the season. It was a simple equation. I need a raincoat and the price was right for a charming, versatile Helly Hansen raincoat. So, what was the conflict? Continue reading “The Coat I Did Not Buy”→
The best book club ever! No one has to cook, clean their house, or clean up afterwards. Just pay $20 and show up at Nicoletta’s Table in Lake Oswego. The ambiance, the food, and the lively conversation will transport you to Italy for a few hours. I always feel as though I have been on a mini vacation! Many thanks to Shari Newman, proprietor and her talented staff Liane and Suzanne for making these meetings so much fun. They spoil us with a yummy 3-4 course lunch including dessert and prosecco.
The next gathering is Wednesday, Novmber 18, 11:30 -1:30 P.M. The book is An Italian Journey: A Harvest of Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany by James Ernest Shaw. I downloaded a copy on my Kindle. Make a reservation by calling Nicoletta’s Table at 503-699-2927. Ciao!
I have a couple of stories to share this morning and I truly, truly hope that you will take a couple of moments to read them because they are important to you. You may even know some of the people involved.
After a leisurely lunch at Tucci’s in Lake Oswego, I noticed this plaque on the counter. I just had to take a picture. It says so many important things especially now in light of the Paris attacks. 
Lori Greer in Portland 